It’s no secret that the long-awaited CoConstruct phaseout is nearing the final stage of its lifetime.
In 2021, CoConstruct was acquired by Buildertrend. In 2024, they stopped all new sales of CoConstruct as well as product development.
And recently, it was announced that anyone still using CoConstruct will be forced to migrate to Buildertrend in 2027; all new project creation in Coconstruct will be suspended after March 31, 2027 in preparation for the required migration.
That means there’s not much time left to prepare your business for the inevitable if you haven’t made the switch yet. But with this forced migration comes many unanswered questions and valid concerns for CoConstruct users: Is Buildertrend really the best option for my business? Are there better alternatives to Buildertrend out there that I don’t know about? What metrics should I use to determine the best project management software alternative to the CoConstruct-Buildertrend migration?
There’s so much information out there but it’s not always as understandable as it should be. In this article, we’ll provide a factual, comprehensive comparison of 4 similar or better alternatives to Buildertrend and CoConstruct and we’ll answer all the frequently asked questions about the migration process, including what it entails and how to make it as seamless as possible.
3 Things CoConstruct Users Should Look for In a Replacement
Users valued the CoConstruct platform because it was a well-suited software for small residential custom builders and remodelers who needed a simple, organized, and affordable way of managing their construction projects.
It offered a centralized project management platform that made projects run more efficiently and productively without the unnecessary features that residential builders don’t need. That means a natural replacement should meet or exceed those standards.
1. Core Software Features
Here’s a summary list of CoConstruct features that you should look for in an adequate replacement:
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Robust estimating with categories, subcategories, line items, and cost catalogs
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Automatic proposal creation which makes bidding more efficient
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Purchase order and bill management that streamlines financial management and documents expenses
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Invoice tracking which centralizes invoice creation and documentation so you can get paid on time
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Selections tracking so clients can review and approve allowances with ease and without delay
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Project scheduling that keeps tasks on track, complete with multiple views (Gantt chart, list view, and calendar view)
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Sub accounts/portals that increase visibility and efficiency among your team
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Time tracking which makes tracking your office team and field crews easier
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Bid tracking tools that make sending, receiving, comparing, and awarding bids more efficient and cost effective
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File and photo management so you can document project progress from start to finish
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Warranty tracking which makes tracking claims, submitting warranty issues and scheduling appointments more efficient
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Enhanced communication tools that keep clients, subs, and team members in the know about latest project updates, including daily logging, jobsite tracking, project announcements, task reminders, and more
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To do list management which enables construction teams to efficiently communicate deadlines, assign responsibilities, and define priorities.
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2. Software Fit for Residential Projects without Unnecessary Overhead
Choosing the right CoConstruct software replacement is about more than the feature list; it’s also about choosing a platform that can provide the essentials without commercial or enterprise overhead.
In a 2026 survey of more than 8,000 residential builders globally, established companies completed an average of 5–9 projects per year. And about 90% of home builder software buyers have no more than 5 users, with 37% having only a single user. CoConstruct served this demographic well. Any replacement needs to match that.
3. Cost Matters, but Only to a Certain Extent
When it comes to investing in PM software, cheaper does not always mean better. In many cases, the cheaper the software, the more trade-offs you experience in the long-term. And many times, software quotes end up looking very similar once you’re comparing against similar feature sets, setup and onboarding prices, and other fees not included in the base price.
When the price is no longer the main defining factor, it’s about the quality of the software, the completeness of features, and the overall customer experience.
With a software solution that has the right set of residential features and pricing options, you’ll get all the benefits that CoConstruct provides without having to pay for extra features you don’t currently need. Right now, you’re being sold that Buildertrend can meet this demand, but there are a few important reasons why Buildertrend might not be the best path forward for your business.
Why Buildertrend Might Not Be the Best Option
The Buildertrend migration is being heavily promoted as the best next step for CoConstruct users because of the 2021 acquisition, but just because it’s the most publicized solution doesn’t mean it’s the best option for your residential construction business.
The Pros
- Buildertrend has very similar project management features to CoConstruct, which means you’ll still have everything you need to manage residential builds and remodels.
- Buildertrend has a highly-rated support team including a dedicated team to help CoConstruct users navigate the migration process.
- Buildertrend has strong scheduling and client communication tools.
- Buildertrend has fairly high ratings in user satisfaction metrics, similar to many other platforms.
- Buildertrend was founded in 2006. This means it’s been around long enough to mature and develop as a platform.
The Cons
- Buildertrend has notable performance issues as your project data grows.
- The overall sentiment for the budgeting and estimating feature is only 38% positive, 45% neutral, and 17%negative due to the limited estimating capabilities, complexity in budget modules, and restricted flexibility in reporting and cost variance tracking.
- Many Buildertrend users note an unintuitive interface that has a steep learning curve. It’s not as user-friendly as other options.
- Buildertrend users have noted difficulties with exporting and saving files, and accounting integration and tax issues.
- Buildertrend’s pricing is not public knowledge, but industry data shows entry-level plans generally start around $299 to $499 per month and is quoting nearly double the price CoConstruct users were paying for. It’s not always about the price; it’s about whether or not the price increase justifies the overall experience with the platform.
Investing in software is not always a popularity contest; it’s about measuring the real value a platform can provide based on metrics that matter most. Just because Buildertrend is the "official", prescribed path, doesn't mean it's the only best one.
4 Software Alternatives to Buildertrend
Buildertrend might have all the basic features that former CoConstruct users need to manage construction projects, but there are other alternatives for residential builders who want to explore other, potentially better-suited options.
Here are 4 software alternatives other than Buildertrend to consider including the pros and cons of each (this is an overview of alternatives, but check out our complete residential competitor comparison here):
1. ConstructionOnline
HIGHLY-RATED BY FORMER BUILDERTREND USERS
Best for:
Small to large-scale residential builders and GCs who need a complete project management system from preconstruction planning to project closeout.
Price:
ConstructionOnline has different pricing plans for residential builders, commercial construction firms, multifamily developers, and specialty contractors. Residential pricing starts at $475/month (or $396/month if you pay annually) with the RS Professional plan. All plans come with unlimited users. You get more features, annual project starts, and storage options with each successive tier. You can try out the full set of features with a free 10-day trial.
Key Strengths:
ConstructionOnline serves a customer base of 950,000+ construction professionals with their complete project management system that streamlines and centralizes all aspects of construction, including residential projects. That includes features for estimating and financial management, project coordination, project documentation, client and team portals, scheduling, helpful integrations, and more. With the different pricing tiers, you can access all the features you need as a residential builder or remodeler without overpaying for what you don’t need.
Potential Drawbacks:
The trade-offs are that while it does come with a free 10-day trial, some users wish they had more than 10 days to get acquainted with the features before having to pay. Another user noted that custom reporting and specific data filters can feel restricted. Overall, most customers think the functionality and intuitive interface of the platform make it worth the investment. ConstructionOnline beats Buildertrend in most user satisfaction categories, including value for money, customer support, and functionality, and more users recommend ConstructionOnline than do Buildertrend.
ConstructionOnline Pros |
ConstructionOnline Cons |
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2. JobTread
Best for:
Small to mid-size (2-10 employees) GCs and jobs-based businesses who prioritize a budget-first approach.
Price:
JobTread implements a user-based pricing model, which means the price depends on the amount of software users on your team. A single user plan starts at $199/month (or $159/month if you pay annually). It’s an additional $20/month per additional user until 10 users have been reached. 11-20 users would cost an additional $15/month per user; 21-30 users would cost an additional $10/month each; and 31+ users is an additional $5/month each. That means a 5-person team costs $279/month billed monthly, or about $3,348/year. They do not offer a free trial, but instead offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee only if you cancel within the 30-day window of time.
Feature Overview:
JobTread has grown to serve 10,000+ construction companies with a centralized platform to manage jobs, teams, documents, photos, finances, clients, vendors, and more. They are rated best value for money in the categories estimating, construction management, CRM, and scheduling. If budget is the deciding factor, JobTread's $199/month starting price is the most affordable option. Although there are of course other aspects of a platform to consider outside of the price.
Potential Drawbacks:
As far as trade-offs, multiple customers have noted a steep learning curve, some noticeable software limitations, issues with QuickBooks integration, and gaps in quality of life features that make a platform good instead of great. Under cons, one SoftwareAdvice reviewer said “when I update a cost item in the Catalog, it doesn’t update the pricing/quantities/formulas/margins in cost groups… I have to go through each cost group again and change it manually over and over again.” It is also a fairly new platform founded in 2019. Brand new software platforms can be vulnerable to bugs, security issues, and system crashes than more developed platforms on the market.
JobTread Pros |
JobTread Cons |
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3. HouzzPro
Best for:
Residential design and construction professionals that need planning and PM capabilities plus marketing and lead generation tools.
Price:
HouzzPro for contractors offers a 30-day free trial, a free version plan, and paid plans with more broader PM features. The free plan includes a 3D floor planner, estimating, and invoicing. The paid Pro plan starts at $399/month using a flat rate pricing model. But the Custom and Enterprise plans use different pricing models.
Feature Overview:
HouzzPro not only offers the basic PM features needed to manage projects in a centralized location, but it also offers marketing and lead generation tools including a custom website, email marketing, targeted advertising, and lead generation.
Potential Drawbacks:
The trade-off is that it has noticeably lower ratings than most other software platforms on metrics like ease of use, value for money, customer support, and functionality. Project management features are more basic and less robust than dedicated construction management software. There is also notable dissatisfaction with low quality and scarce leads, lack of transparency in billing with unexpected charges, subpar customer support, and complex onboarding.
HouzzPro Pros |
HouzzPro Cons |
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4. Ressio
Best for:
Custom homebuilders and remodelers looking for a connected project management system powered by Mason AI.
Price:
Ressio’s pricing is only available per request, although they claim to offer a cheaper price than Buildertrend. Industry discussions seem to support this claim with an estimated starting cost of $400/month floating around. Ressio does not offer a free trial; only a personalized demo.
Feature Overview:
Ressio is a complete construction management software with PM tools needed to manage custom home builds, including estimating, scheduling, project tracking, and more. Additionally, Ressio fully connects Mason AI to all projects, estimates, budgets, and customers in the platform.
Potential Drawbacks:
The trade-off is that Ressio is a brand new construction management software founded in 2022. That leaves room for issues that are less likely to occur in more mature, developed platforms like ConstructionOnline, Buildertrend or Procore. Potential risks include hidden bugs that cause system crashes, a lack of user guides or community support that takes years to build, unproven security measures, sudden vendor abandonment, and unproven performance as databases grow.
Ressio Pros |
Ressio Cons |
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Quick Comparison of CoConstruct The Alternatives
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Platform |
Starting Price |
Best Fit for |
Overall Sentiment from Users |
Overall Ratings from SoftwareAdvice |
| ConstructionOnline |
$475/month |
Small to large-scale residential builders and GCs |
A complete PM product that’s continuously improving and has consistently great quality for all types of projects. Most complaints reference restrictive custom reporting and specific data filters, and a too short free trial period. |
4.5/5 (608 reviewers) |
| Buildtertrend |
Not publicized; industry data suggests starting price of $299 to $499 per month |
Small to large-scale residential builders and GCs |
A great platform for centralizing all aspects of project management, particularly scheduling. Most complaints reference limited estimating and complex budget modules, challenges with email alerts and notification preferences, and calendar and time clock features. |
4.5/5 (2486 reviewers) |
| JobTread |
$199/month |
Small to mid-size (2-10 employees) GCs and jobs-based businesses |
A great PM platform with highly-rated features that centralize project management for different types of projects. Most complaints reference a steep learning curve, some noticeable software limitations, and gaps in quality of life features. |
4.9/5 (143 reviewers) |
| HouzzPro |
$399/month |
Residential design and construction professionals |
Great for lead generation and marketing, but not as great for construction project management. Most complaints reference a lack of transparency in billing with unexpected charges, subpar customer support, and complex onboarding. |
4.3/5 (1088 reviewers) |
| Ressio |
Not publicized; industry data suggests starting price of $400/month |
Custom homebuilders and remodelers |
A young product that’s overall great and has lots of potential. Most complaints reference a steep learning curve, and a lack of summary-level data for estimates. |
5/5 (33 reviewers) |
How to Make Your Software Migration as Frictionless as Possible
Switching software platforms especially when you’re a seasoned software user with lots of data can be fear-inducing and stressful. There’s really no way around it. CoConstruct outlines how the CoConstruct to Buildertrend migration path will work on their website, but what if you want to switch to a platform other than Buildertrend? It doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you think.
Here’s how to make that process as seamless and frictionless as possible:
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Export and organize your CoConstruct data.
Download your contacts, templates, cost codes, and important documents so you have access to your project data. Don’t just keep them as loose, unnamed documents and folders in your computer; organize them into a folder and naming structure that makes sense so things are easy to find.
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Ask how a platform’s importing mechanisms work.
Software platforms like ConstructionOnline who have been around for a while know the importance of simplifying the migration process. We offer helpful knowledgebase articles dedicated to importing data from spreadsheets. Whichever platform you choose, ask them what types of data can be imported into their platform, and what format it should be in.
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Import data in segments.
First, start with your company cost codes. Next, import your estimate templates. Then, import contacts. Breaking the task up makes it more manageable and less stressful.
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Use onboarding services.
You don’t have to do everything on your own. Utilize the guidance and onboarding services that many PM platforms like our SmartStart Program. When you are exploring a PM software, ask them what onboarding services are available.
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Switching software platforms can seem complicated and time-consuming at first, but with the right support and guidance, it is doable and oftentimes worth it when you know you’re switching to something better-suited for your business.
Conclusion
Buildertrend may be the default suggested path for CoConstruct users, but that does not mean it's the only path or the best option for your construction business. There are other PM software platforms that have the essential features you need to manage residential projects in a centralized platform, some of which are:
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ConstructionOnline
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JobTread
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HouzzPro
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Ressio
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Just as with any product, there are pros and cons to each option. But picking the best choice depends on a combination of quality, feature set, price, most value for your money, ease of use, functionality, and support.
To see how ConstructionOnline compares to other PM platforms, check out these relevant articles:
- ConstructionOnline vs. Buildertrend: Which Is Better for Your Team?
- ConstructionOnline vs. Procore: Which Is Better for Your Team?
FAQs About CoConstruct-Buildertrend Migration
Per Buildertrend, there will be no new project creation in the CoConstruct platform after March 31, 2027. Mandatory migration to Buildertrend will happen not long after that.
As outlined on the official CoConstruct and Buildertrend migration workflow, the entire migration process will take at least 4 months to complete.
Months 1–3 include onboarding and training with Buildertrend and finishing out all active projects in CoConstruct. No new projects can be created in CoConstruct after March 31, 2027.
Months 1–3 include onboarding and training with Buildertrend and finishing out all active projects in CoConstruct. No new projects can be created in CoConstruct after March 31, 2027.
The best alternative to CoConstruct should have all the essential features needed to manage residential builds and remodels in one central location, without the extra features you don’t need. ConstructionOnline is known in the industry as one of the most complete, easy-to-use construction management platforms built for all types and sizes of projects–including residential builds, remodels, and contracting jobs at which CoConstruct excelled.
You won’t if you have the right guidance and support to handle exporting and importing. ConstructionOnline offers helpful knowledgebase articles dedicated to importing data from spreadsheets.
Yes, ConstructionOnline is one of the most complete, highly rated PM software platforms for homebuilders and multiple other categories in 2026 and for many years prior.
ConstructionOnline™ was named 'Best for Customer Satisfaction' in a 2026 Home Builder Software Report by SoftwareAdvice.
ConstructionOnline was recognized as a 2025 FrontRunner for Home Builder Software by SoftwareAdvice
You can learn the details about ConstructionOnline’s residential pricing plans here: Residential Construction Software Pricing - UDA ConstructionOnline™
